A lovely street to start your tour of Rome’s historic center is Via del Governo Vecchio.
You can find Via del Governo one block off of Piazza Navona’s southwest corner, in Piazza di Pasquino. From Piazza di Pasquino it runs about 5 blocks to the west to Piazza d’Orologio.
Via del Governo Vecchio provides a classic cobble stoned Roman stroll. Along the way are charming boutiques, coffee and wine bars, and jewel box size shops.
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Palazzo Nardini
Rome’s Via del Governo Vecchio is five blocks in old Rome centro storico that runs like a artery connecting the Rome walker to key veins for exploration. Via del Governo Vecchio gets its name from Palazzo Nardini (pictuered left), constructed between 1473 and 1478 by Cardinal Nardini, governor of the city of Rome under Pope Paul IV, the building was originally called called “Palazzo del Governo.” Palazzo Nardini stands at No. 39 Via del Governo Vecchio. Across the street from the Palazzo del Governo or Palazzo Nardini you’ll find architecture on the buildings from 118 – 123 representing 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.
Piazza d’Orologio
Via del Governo Vecchio begins in the Piazza d’Orologio, named after the Borromini designed corner clock tower.
As you walk look out for the 16th century fresco on 104, which shows the buildings owner dictating to his secretary, a sure sign some things never change.
Another illustration that some things never change is the building plaque on the corner of Vicolo dell Cancelleria from 1755 that reads, “By order of the District President it is forbidden to throw any garbage whatsoever into this alley, as prescribed by public proclamation October 23, 1755.”
Piazza di Pasquino
Piazza di Pasquino is the end of Via del Governo Vecchio where you’ll find the statue of Pasquino, Rome’s first talking talking statue. It is named after a tailor named Pasquino who was the first to post his current affairs witty commentary onto this sculpture shorty after its installation here in 1501.
Pasquino the tailor was privy to behind the scenes Rome and Vatican gossip given his position as tailor to the Vatican. His commentary stuck to the statue led to its nickname, “Rome’s talking statue.”
The sculpture itself is from the 3rd century B.C., and is thought to represent the torso and head of Menelaus, king of Sparta and husband of Helen of Troy. Bernini described Pasquino “the finest of all antique sculptures.” The English word pasquinade, which means a piece of satire, is derived from this statue.
Via del Governo Vecchio Confuses Tourists
When walking this street you’ll often hear desperate travelers looking for a specific address, such as a hip boutique or famous pizza spot, exclaim “che confusione!” as they look for an address.
The confusion is caused by the street numbers continuing consecutively by side, from Piazza d’Orologio on the left side toward Piazza di Pasquino, where they then continue on the other side numbered consecutively back to the beginning in Piazza d’Orologio.
So unlike typical street numbers with odds and evens on opposing sides, Via del Governo Vecchio is numbered successively by side, with the numbers counting up and down the left side beginning from Piazza d’Orologio.
At the beginning of Via del Governo Vecchio you’ll find the first number and last number across from one another.